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Gold prices, which are up more than 35% during the past four years, recently
eased into a trading range following a double digit price jump during 2019. So
far this year, silver prices are running just slightly behind.

Long-time traders liken silver to “gold on steroids” because in past
rallies it has tended to lag the yellow metal at the start, but then vault past
as retail buyers flocked in.

I remember well silver nearly tripling in value to nearly $50 USD an
ounce amidst the 2008 financial crisis.

We are seeing many of the same signs right now. Silver shipments by the
Royal Canadian Mint spiked by 42% during the third quarter and are up 29% year
to date.

Gold and silver are alike in many ways. Both are noble metals, which
have been recognized as stores of value for millennia.

However, many argue that the long term fundamentals for silver, which is
seeing strong industrial demand, are even better than those for gold.

For one, silver is a thinly traded market. Silver is expensive to mine
and is generally only produced these days as a by-product.

Yet while silver has many qualities as a monetary metal, more than half
of all production is used in industrial applications, and a further 20% in
jewellery.

Furthermore, key fundamentals are out of whack. For example, as Keith
Neumeyer, CEO of First Majestic Silver points out, the current gold to silver mine
supply ratio is just 8:1. Yet gold prices are 80 times higher than silver
prices, far above their historical mean.

Demand has also outpaced supply for more than a decade, with much of the
difference coming from recycling existing stocks, but those pools are
shrinking. Neumeyer reckons that silver recycling stocks are at a quarter
century low.

Worse, according to the Silver Institute production issues – ranging
from strikes across South America to lower than expected grades at key mines -
have hampered output. Silver supply, which has fallen for the past three years,
is expected to shrink again in 2020 when the final numbers are released.

A pound of silver … or a British one pound note?

Indeed one of silver’s most interesting properties has been as a store
of wealth. The fact that the French use the same word “argent” for silver and
for money illustrates its multi-millennia history as money.

Even the British pound, one of the world’s most stable currencies, has
its origins in the fact that it was once backed by silver.

One example illustrates the difference between holding physical silver
and government issued paper.

Indeed the British pound got its name because it once represented a
pound of silver.

Today, a pound of silver is worth well over 200 British paper pounds. This suggests that the pound, which the Bank of England claims is a store of value, has lost more than 99.5% of its value.

That is remarkable only in the sense that the British pound, if you can believe it, is one of the world’s oldest and most stable currencies - almost all others have fared much worse.

An easy way into precious metals

Silver’s properties as jewellery and coins are beyond question. You can feel the difference instantly. Even children, who are growing up with iPhones and Androids, instinctively grasp silver’s beauty and inherent physical characteristics when you give them a coin or two, which I often do for Christmas.

Advocates like to say that gold is the currency of kings; however, silver’s reputation as the “currency of gentlemen” encompasses its historical role as an easy way to sample precious metals.

Fiat money for its part, is the currency of politicians.

It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out which to trust.

Indeed precious metals enthusiasts like to point out that all government issued currencies inevitably revert to their intrinsic value … which is zero.

But gold and silver remain.

About Sprott Money

Specializing in
the sale of bullion, bullion storage and precious metals registered
investments, there’s a reason Sprott Money is called “The Most Trusted Name in
Precious Metals”.

Since 2008, our
customers have trusted us to provide guidance, education, and superior customer
service as we help build their holdings in precious metals—no matter the size
of the portfolio. Chairman, Eric Sprott, and President, Larisa Sprott, are
proud to head up one of the most well-known and reputable precious metal firms
in North America. Learn more about Sprott Money.

Larisa Sprott, M.Sc, is the President of Sprott Money Ltd., a Canadian precious metals company based out of Toronto, ON. Larisa has over 15 years in the financial industry, having worked at Cormark Securities and Sprott Asset Management. She joined Sprott Money in 2010.

The views and opinions expressed in this material are those of the author as of the publication date, are subject to change and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sprott Money Ltd. Sprott Money does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of the information or any results from its use.You may copy, link to or quote from the above for your use only, provided that proper attribution to the source and author is given and you do not modify the content. Click Here to read our Article Syndication Policy.

Sprott Money Ltd. General Use Disclaimer
Sprott Money Ltd., its owners & operators, content creators, presenters & interviewees offer no financial or investment advice. The content in this material is for information purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product or service. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the suitability of any investment strategy based on their objectives, financial situation, investment horizon, and their particular needs from a registered financial advisor. Sprott Money Ltd. is not a registered securities or investment dealer. Sprott Money Ltd. products are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government insurer.